Mixing and disintegrating head



Feb. 23, 1965 P. BURTON 3,170,639

MIXING AND DISINTEGRATING HEAD Original Filed April 12, 1963 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 l/ J 4 0 FIG.| P {4 'o .q 'q 41c I 41a 5 5 In 44 43 IIIIII-IIIIIIIIIII l--l ----II-IIIIIIIIIIIIIII Inn 45 Q 1 25 I 2c l I I //..-\R\\ 49 lium 42A mmv Linwood P. Burio ATTORN 23, 1965 L. P. BURTON 3, 70,639

MIXING AND DISINTEGRATING HEAD Original Filed April 12, 1965 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 FIG.6

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Linwood P. Burton wirim w ATTORNEY United States Patent O 3,170,639 I MIXKNG AND DISENTEGRATING WAD Linwood P. Burton, 80 Cranberry St, Brooklyn, NY. Original application Apr. 12, 1963, Sier. No. 272,667. Divided and this application Sept. 28, 1964, Ser. No.

16 Claims. (Cl. 24146) a use. For example, a head capable of dispersing in a liquid a material'heavier than the liquid would be ineffective for mixing in a liquid a material which is lighter than the liquid, and vice versa. Also, it has been noted that the viscosity of the material'to be mixed had an adverse eilect on the. mixing operation utilizing the known mixing head constructions. It has been observed in mixing operations utilizing mixing heads of the type having a 'mixing chamber defined by .a partition extending transversely between the ends thereof, that there is a tendency for thewhirling viscous fluid within the mixing chamber of the head to form a mass that, is or approaches the nature of a'solid. When this occurs, the effectiveness of the mixing head is greatly diminished. As a result, the

time and powerrequired for effecting the mixture is greatly increased. This is due to the fact that the creation of a massapproaching that of a-solid'w'ithin such partitioned head renders it difficult toflow and appreciably increases the load on the motor driving the same. Since the known head constructions because. of their inherent 3,17%,639 Patented Feb. 23, 1965 means for mechanically pulverizing particle size materials which are to be dispersed or placed in solution with a liquid. 1

.Still another object is to provide an improved mixing head that is relatively simple in construction, inexpensiv to fabricate, and positive in operation.

In accordance with this invention, the above objects and other features and advantages are attained by a centrifugal mixing head comprising essentially of a pair of frusto-conical members which are co-axially spaced along a drive shaft so that the respective large ends thereof face or discharges toward one another. Each of the frusto-conicm members includes a bearing sleeve or hub and connected vane means which may be either straight or. pitched at an angle. The'respective vane means integrally connect the. hub to its respective conical member. The Walls of the conical members are preferably imperforate. Disposed between the respective conical members isa distance piece. p

In the invention, a shearing plate or disc is interposed in spaced relationship between'the large discharge end portions of the conical members. The periphery of the shearing plate or disc is further provided with cutting edges so as to effect a shearing or pulverizing effect on particles being mixed in solution.

In'another, form of the invention, means are provided to automatically equalize the loading'on the respective frusto-conical members by causing the same to effect a relative movement therebetween during a mixing operation in accordance with the loadings imposed thereon.

In still another form of the invention, the respective discharge ends of the opposed frusto-conical members are formed with different diameter so as to create a diiferential in the rate of outflow from the respective discharge. ends, and thereby enhance the intermingling of Ithefluid flow fromthe respective discharge ends.

The instant invention further contemplates the en'iployment of means adjustably mounted on the drive 'shaftfor movement toward and -,away fromthe upper I end of the mixing head to control the amount of vfortexing.

created during a mixing operation.

design characteristics were reasonably eifective forv only certain types of mixing operation, itwas necessary for one .to have on hand several; different kinds or designs of the headconstructions so. as to be'preparedfor per- I forming the various mixing operations. As. the initial; cost'of such heads is considerable,arelatively large exi 1 penditure of capital was heretofore required -to stock various head constructionsjnecessary. forv running several different types of. mixingoperations, e.g. mixing'liquids with a material lighter than the liquid, 0r-mixingaliquid witha material heavier than therliquid, 'or mixing liquids of relative viscosity. and the-like.

' Therefore, an objectof this invention is te provide mixing hcad that has universal application for satisfactorfily accomplishing all. kinds of mixing operations 'with substantially equal facilityand efficiency.

Another object isfto'provide an improved mixinghead capable of effecting an intense mixing action with a-. minimum of excessivegcircnlation .to'therebyresultin substantialsavings both ii -mixing time andpowerz' 1 "Still another object is .to provide afcentrir'ugal mixing {head capable ofefl ecting intense shearing of the material being mixed'and'thereby enhance the mixingaction. I

Still another object-is to provide amixing head constructed and arranged to equalize the loading on the respective ends thereof so as to minimize the'back pres-.- sure on the motive means driving the, same.

; Still "another obec't is to provide a 'xing head con -i I uringai inixingoperation. I {Still'l anotherobject. is 1 to pro ."structiomwith means for controlling the vortex created vide 1a: mixing head with tion of this'invention shownpartly in section;

A feature. of this invention resides in the provision; that the construction and arrangement of the respective. embodiments of the invention are such-that mereis.a= minimum. of restriction in-the flow of, the fluid "entering. and discharging from their respective'conical end members.

still l'a'nother'feature of this invention resides in the improved manner in which. a mechanical and hydraulici shear is imposed, on the fluid being mixed so as to enhance.-v the mixing thereof. 1

"plate. which is adjustabl e with respect to aninlet 'end of, I the head to regulate .vortexing andjair entrainmentg;

1 Other features andadvantages will become more readily apparent when considered in viewfof-the description and specification in which; f

FIGURE 1 is a vertical view of a headcohstruc;

in the head construction of FIG. 1., :5

GU E 6-'iS a planvieW Of a modified distance piece construction f Another featurefof the invention resides in the provi i sion of a construction in the loading on therespecz I tive ends of the head are rendered automatically self-f equalizing duringia mixing ;operation v I r Anotherlikat'ur.'residesin theprovision of 'a. control,

V As shown in FIG. 1, the ends of .E FIGURE 7 is a side elevation view of the distance piece of either FIG. 6 or FIG. 7. a v

FIGURE 8 is a side elevation of still another modification having parts shown in section. i "FIGURE 9 is anelevation'view of still another form oftheinvention.

Referring to the drawings, there are shown several different embodiments of the instant invention. FIGSQl and 2 illustrate a mixingrhead 4% that comprises SSH tially. a pair of. similarly constructed frusto-conically 'shaped rnembers ill, 42 and'a distance piece 43 interposed therebetween. Asshown in FIG. I, each frustoconical member or head end 41, 42 is defined-by an irnperforate frusto-conical section having its small end 41A, iZA-respectively defining a fluid inlet and its larger or base enddlB, 4-2Bfdefin'ing a fluid outlet." Concentrically disposed within. each member 4-1, Misa sleeve or hub'46, 4'7, -respectively,- by which the respective conical; members are fitted to a drive shaft 26. .Dia-q -metrically opposed vanes 41C; 42Cinterconnect the re? spective hub i, 47 to the wall portion ofthe conical members. In the illustrated embodiment the respective vanes 41C; 4-28 are formed integral with their respec tive hubs 46,. 47V andthe walls of the conical members. In FIG-.31 the vanes 41C, 426 are disposed in a vertical. plane." In amodified head construction 27 of 'thelinvention, as shown in FIG. 3, the vanes 27A maybe pitched at an angle.

V the hub46, 47 adjacent the small end of the respective conicalrrnembers are provided with a conicalsurface which are adapted bycircumferentially spaced slottedportions 43B inclined in the direction of; rotation as indicated by arrow 51;

Thus the trailing edge 43C of the respective slots 433 function in the nature of a cutting edge to effect'a mechan- 'ical shearing action on the fluid being mixed when'rotating. T0 increase the wear qualitiesof the cutting edge 52 maybe added to the trailing a carbide cutting edge edge of the slot 4313.; I

In a modified disk 55, as shown inPIG. 6, the teeth 55A may be s'errated in the nature of a rotary saw blade. It desired the disk may. be provided with a series of openings 53 extending therethrough as" shown in the The head 46 described operates as follows: Upon eifecting rotation of' the head lil in a tank of fluid to .be mixed, the upper and lower ends 41,42 efliect a pumping action in which a current flow is-established in a v manner, hereinbefore describedie the .fiuid is'drawn into the respective small inlet: ends 41A, 42A of end members 41 and 42 and discharged out *throughthe enlarged open ends 41B and 423 respectively. In doing. so the respective discharging;streamsare directed onto" the disk, 43. Therotationiof the-diskli in turn tends to discharge the fluid laterally outward with-the outer minimizes any tendency; of' choking up ofthe head. As a to abutagainst a stop or stop washer d8, 49 respectively.

The respective conical members 41, '42 are co-axially.

, thebuildup of a back pressure on the motor is obviated. Thushead 40 has particular utility in'workingjviscous spaced along the drive shaft 26 so that the large dis- I charge ends 4113, 32B thereof 'fa'ce ordischarge toward one another.. interposed between the dis'charge ends of the respective conical members ill, 42 is the distance pie ce .43..v i i A vorteXing control means. comprising a disk or plate:

3t is s1idab1y mounted on the shaft, '26 for movement toward and away -frorn the inlet end 41A of the :upperconical member-41.. i

In; the.-form; of .the invention (ifFIG. theidisthnciei piece 43'' comprises a" Iplate shaped member, preferably 'haped in the natur'e of adiskx .As shown, the disk 43 s' mounted tothe shaft 26 andis maintained inposi-u eflicientkmixingof the fluids in solution.

. tiorrcbetween the enlarged discharge ends 4113;42-Biof the. respective 'fr'usto-conical- .members 41 ,andAZ, It;

will begnoted that the disk 43 is spaced fromthe respec tive- 'di schargejendsg ilB, 42B of members 41 spam.

members. 41;42iand 43 are, fixedt'othe shaft 26 .bya

'wa,sher,;419 and bolt ShQtheiatter of; v which is threadgl n 1 'nd ofth'e driveshaft. I

j QAsseen in FIG. 1, the disk or blade:. 4;3' extends lat-.2 'er'ally beyondthe' circumference or periphery" of either 1 of members-41 and 42. In the arrangementjdescribed it ;willj'bei'apparentthat when the shaft-26B rotated, therespective lend members 41', 42'anddisk e3 therebetween;

v will rotatef" Because'thedisk'43extendslaterallybeyondf g the)" periphery. of-the respective'members 41,142 ,itiwilli flllbl ii be'appare nt that the peripheral speedofthe disk willi beJgreate'r than thatof' the respective conical members accordancqiwith this invention theputjer periphan edge of theblade or; disk 4-3 is slotted=for =formed 7 with a plurality-. of circumferentiallyextending fteeth. In the formillustrated inFIG. .5, the teeth 43A are defined.

1 componentsfof'heat d flware secured"to-the-shafi b -s -.;ss .fand a bolt fi threaded into the en sh frgss; fslnfoperationi' the constructioni-of head 6 With: the operation offihead 4h i h lein a l the type describedrwithreferencehto. FIG .,1.E- However, -in:this 1fo rm ofthelinv ention"resilientfspacers are if interpos ed between; the 'Tfixed'. disk. stand 7 each *of'the" arespec'tive nova-131s end-members er illustratedt embodiment the resilient means .6 comprises; a compression coil spring disposedonjeitlier side of;.jthe*' Accordingly th ifspring 65 bearsinventiongthe,

. edges or; cutting teeth shearing through theifiuid. The. arrangement is such that the fullopeniendsin therespective discharge ,endsof the respective he'ad ends Hand 42;, and the peripheralIztction of. the disk 43 greatly a result effective rniying is attained without loss of power.

Consequently any tendency of the fluid tozcollectto form.

amass in the nature of a solidis eliminated; As a result fluids or fluid having mixed therein solid; particles re-' quired to be pulverized; The'rapidly rotating disk 43 .With its cutting edges efiefct an efiicient pulverizinggaction on such] particles while eflecting at the- .same "time an v The head of FIG; 1 1s especially-useful in mixing paints having chrome pigments or the-like.

I I fdesire da' control plate'fifimayalso be therewith to control vortexingror.

of ..air.

d lA fof member ill/Thus byf-adjustment' of the=plate '35 flifl fl i 41A be e at dr r Y n the-plate .36 closer to theinlet 41A, theamount-of-air .or vortexing" can-be reduced:.;accordingly, ".Means fors 'adlhstably positioning the controliplate 3fij on the=shafti26r may compriseiaset' screw'36,A-which extends throughthelcollar 3630;? the disk 36 to'be'ar-against; the shaft 26 inthe'set position thereof. i g j L Y I illustrates;stilh anotherembodiment 600i the j inventiong In this-forrri of the inventionf-the respective end members. 61; "62' are, alsoflconstructed infa manner as he'reinbeforedscribd. 1 However. iinithislformofthe espective lrnembersgi, 16 2 areslidably veflshaft 63 for rnovement towardand mounted on away from'gonelanothen n xe was shaft between the}. 2 m r n ef.memberssrandsz na-d sses of" againstbne side prthe diske tiand the hub 66, 67 sf ,each respective end zrnember :61 and 62. Thesrespective tof regulate-the entrainment: I l Accordingly, plate 35;is' slidablylmounted on I shaft: 26. forlmovem'ent towardand away from the inlet' and 7 6 2.; i ,the

the head 70 is similar to the head construction 400i FIG. 5, exceptthat the respective discharge ends 71a,

72A of end members 71 and 72 are formed of relative cross-sectional areas. As shown, the discharge opening 71A of the upper end member 72 has a greater crosssectional area than the, discharge opening 72A of the lower member 72. In, operation, the head 70 of FIG. 9 is similar to that of head 40 vexcept that the relative difference in the cross sectional areas r of the respective discharge end portions create a difference in the rate of fluid flow out from the respective discharge ends 71A, 72A of members 71, 72 during a mixing operation. In this manner the meeting ofditierent particles of the circulating fluids is assured in the discharge areabetween the two conical'end members 71, 72 where the material issues at dilterent speeds. The function of the disk 73 is similar to that ofdisk 43, f

From the foregoing it will berealized that each of the described modified head constructions can be used with equal facility formixing'in a liquid a material that is either lighter and/ or heavier than the liquid, or for mixing liquids of relative viscositi'es in a minimum. of time and with a' minimum of power Each; of therespectiveconstructions will minimize choking up of the head.v Each of the head. constructions will create an intense mixing actionwith a minimumof excessive circulation. jEach may be prov id'ed with means for con- 1 trolling vortexing and/or theizregulationof air entrainment. Eachjheadjconstruction, is further capable of imparting a mechanical andihydraulic shear on the materialljbeing mixed. Each is. provided with vanes which are integrally formedin the end members and thereby eliminate any spacing between the ends of the vanes and the wall of the. endimemberscwhich would -"otherwise simple in construction-endoperation. T

While theinstantiinvention hasl been-Idiscl'osed with': reference to particular embodiments thereof, it isto be What is-claimed is: r l. A'rnixinghead comprising, 3 i

- (a) a pair of spaced apart frusto-conical' rnembersf u apprec iated that the inventioir is not t'o be taken as r 7 limited to all of the details thereof -as modifications and variations thereof may be -made without'departing from 1 the spirit or:sc ope of'theinverition,"

, tions wherein its smaller 'end definesv affluid inlet and its larger end a fluid ing'the inlet end, I w. 1 v (c) means interposed between said members for ejectoutlet for the fluid entera ing. thefluid discharging from the'respective out-' lets of saidmembers in alaterally outward direc- ,tion therefrom and'ifor mechanically I eifecting a' 'means comprising a"pl'ate shaped' member having 6 -l shearing actionon' the fiuidso 'ejectedjfsaidlatter its peripheral Iportionsextending laterally beyond thecircumferenc of said frusto-conical, members.

. a f 2. 'Thelinventiori as defined in'claim' 1' and including i means for resiliently biasing the respective conical.rnernbers relative to said, plate member to elfect relative displacement therebetween so as to1equalizethe loading on said members wheninop'eration.

3. The invention fasdefine'd'in claim -1 wherein said plate inember is provided with a series of circumferenb tial spaced slots opening to the outer periphery thereof to define a series of shearing edges for effecting a mechanical shear on the fluid particles coming in contact therewith.

4. The invention as defined in-claim 3 wherein said plate is provided with openings extending therethrough, said openings being wholly within the outer periphery 0t said plate.

Y 5..A mixing head comprising,

- (a) opposed pumping means adapted to 'be submerged in a fluid, (b) means for imparting a rotary motion to the pumping means to create a pumping action in which op posed streams of pumped fluid are directed toward one another, I

ing means to effect relative displacement therebetween to compensate for unequal loadings thereon, (e) means adjustably disposed with respect to one of said opposed means to control vortexing. 7. A centrifugal mixing head comprising,

(a) a shaft adapted. to bedriven by a suitable means, (b) an upper and lower frusto-conical member .slidably mounted in 'co-axially spacedrelationship on said shaft so that the larger ends of said members are spaced from and discharges toward one another,

power .(c) a shearing means securedtosaidshaft atra point I intermediate the spacing between thefacing dis- .cha,'rge ends offsaid member, i

between vsaid conical members whereby said re: silient spacer means permits limited relative, move- 7 ment pf sajd heads relative to. one another.

8. The inventionas defined in'claim. 7,wherein said resilient means includes a coil spring interposed between said shearing means and each of saidgfconical members '9. .A -centrifugal mixing head comprising," I

(a) a shaft adapted to be-driven by a suitable power means,1 v

(b) an upper and lowe'fr frust'o-conical-,slidably mounted-member in co-axially spaced relationship along said shaft so that the larger ends of said memt bers are spaced from and discharges toward one another,"each of said membershaving imperforate wall portions; I Q

(0) vane means connected between the wall portions of each member,

(d) a shearing disk. secured to said shaft at a point intermediate the spacing between the large ends of I said member,

(a) said disk having a peripheral portion extending laterally beyond the periphery of the large ends of I said conical members,

(1") series ofshearing teeth formed about the periphery of said disk, j 1 p "'(g) and resilient spacer means for spacing said disk betweensaidconicalmembers. v v,

' l0. A-centrifug'al mixing head comprising, i

I (a) a shaft-adapted to bedriven by a suitable power means,

(d) means for resiliently biasing said opposed pumptqi) and resilient, spacer means for spacing said disk- (Ii) an upper and lower frusto-conical members'e cured in co-axially spaced relationship. alongsaid shaft'so that the larger; ends of said members are spaced from and discharges toward one another,

each of said members having imperforate wall por- V tions, i each of said conical members having integrally formed therein a pair of opposed vanes,

(d) a shearing disk secured to said shaft at a point" intermediate the spacing between the large ends 'of.

, said member,. -(e) said disk having aperipheral portion extending laterally beyond the periphery of the respectivelarge ends of said conical members,

(f) series of shearing teeth formed about the periphery of said disk,

(g) said disk having a seriesj of openings extending through the plane thereof, and 4 t a (h) spacer means for maintaining the position of said disk between said conical members. 11. A centrifugal mixing head comprising,

(a) a shaft adapted to be driven by asuitable power t means, r V k t j I (b) a11 upper and'lower frusto-conicalmember secured in co-axially spaced relationship along said shaft so that the larger ends of said members are spaced from and dischargestoward one another,

(c) a shearing disk secured to said shaft at a point intermediate the spacing between the large ends of said member, 1 I

(d) said disk having aperipheral portion extending v laterally beyond the peripheryo-f said conical'memhers, and I w (6) series of shearing teeth formed about the periphcry of said disk.

r 12. The invention as definedin claim 11 wherein'said' disk isrprovided with alseries 'of openings :extending v therethroughQ t I 134A, centrifugal mixing head comprising, a) a shaft adapted to be driven bya suitable power means, i

(b) an upper lower frusto-teonical member se cured in ;c0-axially spaced relationship along'rsaid shaft'sothat the larger ends of saidimembers are spaced from and discharges toward one another,

' each ofsaidj members .jhaying imperforate wall portionsy: V s

,I hers,

V e 32,635,860} (c) a shea 'ng disksecured tosaid shaftiata point I H: intermediatethe' spacing between the Iar'ge'endsof I v v I- Q, a (d) said diskfhaving a peripheral, portion extending laterally beyondthe periphery of 'said-c'onical'ine'm tween said conicalmembers.

(2) series of shearing teethformed about theperiphery ofsaid disk, f f V (flsaid disk having a series of openings extending through'the plane thereof,

"(g)- and-spacer means for. maintaining. the position of said disk between said conical members, (h) and means adjustably disposedalong said shaft above the upper end of said upper conical member ,"head; V 4 p 14-. A centrifugal mixing head comprising,

(a) a shaft adapted to be 'drivenb'ya suitable; power.

, driven means,

(b) a pair of frusto-conical members mounted in 00- V axially spaced relationship along said shaft,

('c) saidiconicalmembers having their respective larger ends discharging ;toward ea ch other and having their i remote smaller outer, ends defining inlets};

thereto,

(d) thediSchargecnd of one memberbeing g reater in 7 diameter than the discharge end of theother member,*"-

(e) each,ofsaid conicalmembersincluding a h'ubfor.

slidably. receiving said shaft, and

(f) diametrically opposed saidmea'ns connected,be tween said hub and thetouter wall portion, of said respectiveconical members, i s

1(g)' andfa shearing disk secured to'saidpshaft at a point intermediateand spaced 'fromj-the respective Y discharge ends of said members. 7 J15 The invention as defined in claim-'14,wh'erein said disk'is provided with ,a plurality of circumferentially spaced-shearing teeth.

\ 16; The invention as definedin claim, 15 includspacing said disk be- 7 7 ing resilient spacingd'rneans' for i References Cited UNITED s-"rArnsrArnms{,

for controlling' yortexing during-operation of, said, 

1. A MIXING HEAD COMPRISING, (A) A PAIR OF SPACED APART FRUSTO-CONICAL MEMBERS ADAPTED TO BE CO-AXIALLY DISPOSED ON A DRIVE SHAFT, (B) EACH OF SAID MEMBERS HAVING FULL OPEN END PORTIONS WHEREIN ITS SMALLER END DEFINES A FLUID INLET AND ITS LARGER END A FLUID OUTLET FOR THE FLUID ENTERING THE INLET END, (C) MEAND INTERPOSED BETWEEN SAID MEMBERS FOR EJECTING THE FLUID DISCHARGING FROM THE RESPECTIVE OUTLETS OF SAID MEMBERS IN A LATERALLY OUTWARD DIRECTION THEREFROM AND FOR MECHANICALLY EFFECTING A SHEARING ACTION ON THE FLUID SO EJECTED, SAID LATTER MEANS COMPRISING A PLATE SHAPED MEMBER HAVING ITS PERIPHERAL PORTIONS EXTENDING LATERALLY BEYOND THE CIRCUMFERENCE OF SAID FRUSTO-CONICAL MEMBERS. 